NU students learn to break ice, create connections for careers

After years of hearing that success comes from hard work, dedication, perseverance and commitment, Northwood University students learned they have to have one more key ingredient - relationships.

And Monday as part of the university's Values Emphasis Week, professional ice breaker and connections expert Dave Sherman gave tips on just how to develop those relationships to help land students on the career paths they choose.

"I want to give you bits and pieces of information that you can start applying and use the rest of your life," Sherman said to a crowd of approximately 1,000 students. Morning classes were canceled so students, faculty and staff could participate in Values Emphasis, a program designed to help individuals examine their lives to become more effective citizens.

Sherman shaped his presentation around how students can achieve the 4 M's: make me more money.

The first way to garner that overall goal, he said, is by creating a connection by finding likability and commonality.

"All the other stuff is just details," he said. "If you learn what it takes to become more likable, you're going to meet more people. And the more people you meet, the easier life will be."

But how does one create that likable personality? By getting rid of personal fears and issues, realizing "what you put out is what you bring in," he said, and by making a strong first impression.

That could be as simple as having the proper handshake.

"If you mess this up, people will remember you for all the wrong reasons," he said, while showing a slides of improper handshakes, ranging from hand crushing to the two-handed "trust me" shake.

But he also encouraged students to be confident in what they have to offer, despite their youth.

"The only limit on yourself based on age is the one you put there," he said. "At your age, it's the perfect opportunity to prove yourself."

Proving oneself professionally could start with creating a business card, he suggested. That was one of the main points AnnMarie Aluia took away from the presentation.

"I'm definitely going to take his advice with the business cards," said the 18-year-old freshman. And it wasn't just the information about business cards, but she also learned how to be more assertive.

"He gave us some very good tips on how to present ourselves professionally," she said. "I've learned to put myself out there and not be afraid to go up to someone and say hi, because it's going to benefit me in the long run."